Just put a down payment on a folding kayak at a local boat show - the Klepper Aerius expedition (I was shocked that the Klepper rep had never heard of Ralph :-) ). I was planning to get a single, since my girlfriend never expressed the slightest interest in joining me for outings, but as I was filling out the paperwork she got visibly nervous and said well, maybe she would like to join me for outings after all. Oops... The dealer was pleasant and said I could have till 20th March to make up my mind on whether I want a single or a double, and invited me to his shop to check out the different models. I need some advice! There are so many pros and cons to this issue. If I get the double, I'm sure I'll be using it frequently as a single, if I get a single, my girlfriend won't be able to join me for the occasional outing. (At least Ralph says "solo paddling is fine" in the Aerius II). The double is 8 kilos heavier than the single. Any thoughts (especially from couples)? Peter *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Peter, When my wife and I decided to buy a folding kayak, we faced almost the same dilemma. Some people advised to buy two singles since a double is a "divorce boat". After some experience we would say: Buy a double it will strenghten your relationship and make you a better team. Just be wise on who is sitting in front or in the back. For us it works best that we change seats form time to time. Only in case of strong headwind (that happens a lot in Holland!) I (Nico-Dirk) sit in front. We own a Klepper Quattro (= four ponson expedition). It paddles fine as a single in the expedition mode. With all ponsons inflated you have to work very hard when you are on your own. Happy teambuilding! Diana and Nico-Dirk van Loo Rotterdam The Netherlands *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"Dr. Peter Rand" wrote: > > Just put a down payment on a folding kayak at a local boat show - the Klepper Aerius expedition (I was shocked that the Klepper rep had never heard of Ralph :-) > I was planning to get a single, since my girlfriend never expressed the slightest interest in joining me for outings, but as I was filling out the paperwork she got visibly nervous and said well, maybe she would like to join me for outings after all. Oops... [snip] > I need some advice! [snip] > Any thoughts (especially from couples)? You need advice about your relationship, not about boats. Anybody who had not expressed much interest in boating (even though you are avowedly avid), UNTIL confronted by a tangible threat to her control over you is more interested in managing the relationship than she is in boating. Buy the double. Your next girlfriend will be someone you meet on the water during the "detachment" phase of your current relationship. The two of you will love the Aerius, intensify your enamoration within it, and the first child will no doubt be named "Aerius." -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR no Dear Abby, but been there, done that! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Get the single. When your girlfriend feels like she might want to go along, rent a boat for her until she actually shows that she enjoys kayaking. I made the mistake of buying a bike once for a girlfriend who expressed interest after a long period of not being interested. That girlfriend is long gone and the bike still hangs from the rafters - it being too small for me or any companion that followed. Her interest in riding didn't get past the first ride with significant hills. There is nothing worse than paddling in a double anything with someone who really doesn't enjoy it. That is a sure way to stress any relationship - my ex-wife still brings up the fact that we never could manage paddling a canoe together which should have told us we probably couldn't manage a marriage together. Of course, buying a double kayak and testing the relationship thoroughly before marriage is a lot less stress and cheaper than a divorce. Girlfriends come and girlfriends go, but a good kayak is forever... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dr. Peter Rand" <h9752220_at_botanix.wu-wien.ac.at> To: "Paddling" <paddlewise-digest_at_lists.intelenet.net> Sent: Monday, March 06, 2000 1:19 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] Folders: single, double, girlfriend? > I was planning to get a single, since my girlfriend never expressed the slightest interest in joining me for outings, but as I was filling out the paperwork she got visibly nervous and said well, maybe she would like to join me for outings after all. Oops... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
My experience as well. My first human powered boat was a Winona Sundowner. A great tandem canoe. My (then new) wife went with me to pick it out. She even went out with me a couple times. Last fall I pulled it out from under the tree where I had stored it. Ivy had grown over it. I sold it. Get the single. If partner wants a boat. Get her one later. Get her one you would like to paddle. Been there, done that Bob ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Cramer" <cramer_at_coe.uga.edu> To: <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Sent: Monday, March 06, 2000 7:31 AM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Folders: single, double, girlfriend? > Not to impugn anyone's girlfriend/boyfriend, but I have seen something > like this happen: > 1. GF: "I want to come along and share this experience with you." > 2. Paddler buys double. > 3. Paddler and GF go out together some. > 4. Paddler and GF get married. > 5. Wife never paddles again. > 6. Paddler paddles double solo. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 03/06/2000 2:11:05 AM Eastern Standard Time, h9752220_at_botanix.wu-wien.ac.at writes: << I need some advice! There are so many pros and cons to this issue. If I get the double, I'm sure I'll be using it frequently as a single, if I get a single, my girlfriend won't be able to join me for the occasional outing. (At least Ralph says "solo paddling is fine" in the Aerius II). The double is 8 kilos heavier than the single. Any thoughts (especially from couples)? >> We have thousands of miles on two tandem bicycles, and just started paddling a tandem kayak last year. Same concept..... teamwork! Once you get it down, it's great. You won't have to keep turning around to pick her up, if you happen to be the stronger paddler. And, in either case, it's like having two motors on your bike or in your kayak. We're almost fifty, and we get a kick out of putting a twenty-five year old hammerhead away on the tandem bike! We haven't done a lot of group kayak outings yet, but I have a feeling that the same can apply there as well. When paddling in sync, we move! Most certainly faster than our combined effort in singles. However, there is a saying with tandem bicycles. A tandem will drive your relationship in whatever direction it was already headed. For us, it has been positive, kayak and bicycles. I remember Dana Decker saying that the only reason he considered selling us the tandem kayak, was because we were tandem cyclists. He had not had good experiences with other couples. So maybe we're just weird! Anyway, good luck in your decision process. Al (& Heidi) Parker Tallahassee, FL Prijon Odyssee Cannondale MT3000 Cannondale RT1000 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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